Northern Ireland

Arlene Foster calls for British government to end 'decision-making limbo'

An artist's impression of the proposed facilities at the Hightown Quarry near Glengormley
An artist's impression of the proposed facilities at the Hightown Quarry near Glengormley An artist's impression of the proposed facilities at the Hightown Quarry near Glengormley

DUP leader Arlene Foster has called for the British government to end "the limbo of decision-making in Northern Ireland" after civil servants decided not to appeal a court ruling over a controversial waste incinerator.

A High Court judge found in May that the permanent secretary of the Department for Infrastructure did not have the power to grant planning permission for the £240m project at Hightown Quarry in Co Antrim.

Mrs Foster said the decision not to appeal "should be a siren for the government to take action".

"There are fresh examples arising virtually daily where people in Northern Ireland are suffering because decisions cannot be taken.

"They range from school building projects to public sector pay through to reforming how our healthcare operates."

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The former first minister accused Sinn Fein of "refusing" to restore devolution and "boycotting" the Assembly, Executive and Westminster.

"This is not about wishing to see a return to direct rule but about the people of Northern Ireland needing decisions taken so they are not punished for the refusal to restore devolution."

Ulster Unionist assembly member Steve Aiken also called on Secretary of State Karen Bradley to end the political paralysis in Northern Ireland.

"We are in a no man's land between devolution and direct rule which is having dire consequences for public services as no decisions can be taken."

 DUP leader Arlene Foster
 DUP leader Arlene Foster  DUP leader Arlene Foster

Ms Bradley said yesterday the British government has "been looking carefully at the decision and what the implications are and what needs to be done".

"I won't back off taking decisions that need to be taken for good governance in Northern Ireland - that's why I've brought forward two budgets during my time as secretary of state, that's why I'm bringing forward legislation on public appointments and particularly on the Policing Board."

Sinn Féin assembly member Declan Kearney said the Hightown facility "should never have been given the green light in the first place after widespread opposition and concerns over the safety of residents".

"Key decisions such as this demonstrate again the importance of re-establishing the power-sharing institutions in a way that is consistent with the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

“There is an onus on both governments to fulfil their responsibility as co-guarantors of that agreement, to deal with the outstanding equality and rights issues at the heart of the political crisis."

SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon said "a huge amount of public money has already been wasted trying to defend the indefensible".

"As these court rulings have made clear, civil servants have no legal authority to take these decisions.

"The question for the DUP and Sinn Fein is how long are they going to continue to deny the people of Northern Ireland a government that will take decisions in their interests and end this dangerous drift."